needed, as great
political trouble was expected in the city.

I was beginning to feel anxious, as in my weak state it would have been a
serious matter for me to undertake the river journey in a small
rowing-boat, which journey would have occupied several weeks, when I
could have done the whole thing in two or three days at the most in a
steam launch. Even a rowing-boat was not obtainable unless you purchased
it outright, and if you obtained the boat you could not obtain the men to
row it.

It is extraordinary how many things in the world depend on absolute
chance. When I returned, sadly disappointed, to the hotel, I met a Swiss
gentleman, Dr. Alberto Maso, who was in the employ of the Brazilian
Government as delegate of the Minister of Agriculture for the Territory
of the Acre. I had met him in Rio de Janeiro a year before. I told him
what had happened that day with the Governor and the Commandante of the
Flotilla. Dr. Maso immediately took the matter in hand.

That same evening there was a meeting of the Associacao Commercial do
Amazonas, a most useful society in Manaos composed of the cleverest and
soundest business men of that place. I was presented to the President,
Mr. J. G. Araujo, and to Dr. Bertino Miranda, the honorary secretary--the
latter a man of letters of great distinction, well known not only in his
own country but in Latin countries all over Europe as well.

I was received by these gentlemen and the other members of the
Association with the greatest consideration, and before I left that
evening they assured me that they would procure a launch for me with
which to go and rescue my men.

The next morning, in fact, I was taken to call on the Commandante of the
Federal troops, who willingly and most courteously placed at my disposal
his steam launch. A delay of several days took place, as unfortunately
the steam launch had lost her propeller and it was necessary to make a
new one. Also the engine had to be repaired, and a crew had to be
engaged--a task which gave all those concerned a considerable amount of
trouble.

I had, of course, to pay for the maintenance of the crew during the
journey, and it cost me nearly a hundred pounds to fit her out with all
the plates, knives, cooking utensils, and other paraphernalia necessary
for her crew of sixteen men. In any other country three men would have
been more than sufficient to run a launch of that size.

I also had to employ at my own expense a pilot--n